Retired Army JAG Officer

Golfing is Great Fun! Golfers, however....well, that's another story!

Dear reader, I consider myself truly blessed to be able to play golf again!. No, not at the level I had achieved in years past, but just being able to play with old friends and acquaintances; make new friends, and, yes, even play with ol' adversaries -- again, I'm blessed, indeed.

So, I submit this blog entry on a topic that seems to reflect the political times of today. What, praytell, is my point? Read on.

I notice that golfers seem to complain about their scores, their swing, their equipment, the golf course, the condition of the course -- fairway grass too long, greens not cut uniformly, sand traps unraked, flag in wrong position, and on, and on, and on. Of all these complaints I hear, the one that irks me the most is this one:

"That ball should have gone in the hole! How could that ball stay out of the hole? I hit the putt perfectly!"

Upon hearing these words on a golf course, I tell you, my skin crawls! Really. How does one ascribe the'  word 'should' to an object? The word 'should' is universally used in association with a person -- e.g. I should go home, you should eat something, my son should get married. But, to say golf ball 'should' have gone in a hole is tantamount to making the ball a thing with human characteristics! That's insane! I suspect that this kind of thinking is ripe for the current climate of government assistance in so much of today's political thought. Perhaps, legislation that will result in changing the rules of golf so that the golfer could claim the lower score -- is just on the horizon. Yikes!

Here are a few golf scenes from recent matches:

 

  

Golf still remains a favorite, though, at times I think it may 

be foreced to undergo changes that might make competition unrecognizable some day. Let's hope not.

Here are images of some great golfing acquaintances -- Jeff is an accomplished player who presents me with stiff competition -- I value his fine skill and sound judgemnet. Richard has a long history of West Coast golf -- he's looking forward, I'm sure, for the upcoming US Open in SF.

 

 

One last, comment. When a golf ball does NOT go in the hole, the reasons have nothing to do with 'should' -- it has everything to do with physics, weather, stroke, power, angle. grass, size of hole, size of ball, wind, moisture, etc. "should" has no place in golf!

Springtime in the Northwest!!! Hooray!

Yes, indeed, Spring has finally arrived here in the Northwest! For me, the arrival of Spring reminds me of the Masters Golf Tournament, but this year, playing golf is a sorely needed medicine for me! (A whole year ago, I was bedridden recovering from surgery and no opportunity to play golf or even watch the Masters Tournament at all! What a bore!) But, dear reader, I am truly blessed -- here are some golf images at our local playground -- American Lake VA Golf Course. Great friends, wonderful volunteers, exceptionally talented Americans.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, a golf course that operates with unpaid volunteers is a very special place for any veteran and welcomed guests. No, we do not have a dress code. You CAN wear denim (blue jeans), and you can wear a shirt without a collar. (However, wearing a shirt and tie may be a new requirement next year! Stay tuned.)

A Special Friend, A Special Lunchtime...Still a democrat!

Yes, indeed. Finally, after days of toying with my computers, I am able to insert Randi's likeness to my blog. Our lunchtime together got us caught up on her grandparent duties/acctivities and me updating Randi on my series of health issues. It was good to see her and catch up. Soon, I hope, my Alice and Randi's Jack will dine together as a group. See, folks, dems and GOP can come together after all.

Friends -- some democrats, some republicans; all golfers!

Fond memories are triggered by events that may seem unrelated, but so much of life is related -- golf and friends are like that. Consider -- if you've played golf for over 54 years (such as your blogger here), memories abound. Even in these times of politically charged events, where there may seem to be gathering political storms -- democrats versus the GOP, golf seems to be the one constant. It seems when I gather on the first tee with my fellow players -- we do know by now what our leanings are politically, we can still muddle through the round somehow -- even with jokes and jabs. Free speech means so much that we tend to lose site of its basic meaning.

Then, we do need to be reminded sometimes that events trump political parties and political fights. The above image at 'Ground Zero', which we took a few months after the planes crashed America -- I post it here to keep reminding me that politics is still, in my view,  an important phenomenon of American life. And so is golf.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I do enjoy golf...and American politics!

These next several months will produce some history-- making times, I'm sure. Perhaps, a changing of the guard (as they say); let's hope so!

 

As you can probably gather, I'm still learning how to handle my new blog tools. Be patient with me.

A New Day! A New Platform For My Blog!

Bare with me, now. This new iPAD may take some time for adjustments.

Republican Brain...Used!

Recent months have seen me marveling at medical achievements, medical wonders, and improved patient care. Additionally, in my efforts to recover from a host of medical challenges, I've spent a good bit of time observing both national and local political scenes. In fact, I am probably one of but a few people who can claim to have seen virtually every televised GOP debate -- even now it cannot be known yet who will be the republican party presidential nominee who will be pitted against the democrat President Obama.

So, it was a puzzle to me when I was alerted by some friends of mine of a noteworthy family gathering at a local hospital. It seems the head of a prominent family was seriously ill and, according to the doctors, the patient's condition was expected not to improve...except, there was a new possible change -- the family of the patient needed to be consulted and the doctors needed the family members assistance. The chief surgeon gathered with the family to announce to them all that there was one possibility, albeit remote, that there could be a solution to the patient's health. The surgeon informed the family that recent medical achievements have come upon a possible solution...if the family was interested. The surgeon advised that a 'brain transplant' was a new medical protocol and could solve the patient's problem. The surgeon informed the family that the hospital has two brains in the laboratory that is available for transplant. One brain is a democrat brain; the other brain is a republican brain. The doctor advised the family that they must decide which brain to be used. He cautioned the family that the decision as to which brain to choose is one of economics -- the democrat brain would cost the family about $5,000. The GOP brain would cost $200.  The doctor advised the family that time is of the essence as there are not many days left for their loved one. The family huddled in a separate room to make the decision. One member approached the doctor and wanted to know why the significant difference in costs between the two brains. The doctor advised the family that the answer is basic economics -- the republican brain is used.

 

Whew! An Unexpected (But Welcomed) Round Of Golf!

To my suprise and enjoyment, I played a 9-hole round of golf today with my buddy, Roger. It has been at least six months since we last played -- he's been real busy with the ALVA Golf Course's raffle program which is rasing funds for the Friends of ALVAGC -- the prise is a fully restored '56 Chevy! (Of note, earlier in this BLOG are images of Roger's '56 Red Chevy.) My absence from playing the game of golf is because of my recent history of health problems -- recovery is slow, setbacks are common. The golf match today, anyway, was like ol' times -- lots of fun, too. (Bruce, get back here soonest -- I'm ready for you, too!)

Yes, you are correct that this image of me is somewhat dated. Bear with me, I will re-learn the vagaries of this computer and my blog. So, please read on.

Here is an image of Roger (when he's not assisting in the management of the VA golf course, he might be cooking, serving veterans, directing tournaments, etc.), or he might play a round of golf with me!

 

And then, there is the matter of the passing of one of our favorite golfers here at VA. Lou Malang passed away on February 10. A good golfer, a better gambler, an extraordinary story teller (or fibber, depending on which end of the story you came in on -- but, if anything, Lou was a terror on the golf course -- a smooth swing -- he used a belly putter long before it bacame acceptable. It is talk abou that no one wanted that putter!) In this image, Bruce and Lou in a moment of quiet solicitude -- Lou is trying to convince Bruce to alter the golf course hours; Bruce, always firm, says, NO!

 

 

 

 

Soon, I'll be playing golf with Roger, Bruce, and 

Toni Charbonneau -- all good golfers. Of course, Toni plays from the 'forward' tees which gives her a distinct advantage of us.

 

Friends -- A Powerful Word: It Becomes Clearer When Your Health Fails

For the past few years I've experienced some health crises that gave me little time to ponder the real value of friends. In fact, I took my friends for granted, really. But, good health gives one the luxury of doing whatever one wants to do, whenever, whoever, however. So, dear friends, a silver lining in friendship is what I'm trying to share with you. Of course, friends come in all shapes and sizes -- they can be your neighbor, your golfing buddies, your children, even and especially, your wife. These people have been my friends during my difficult recovery time. In fact, I'm still recovering, so my friends continue to bless me!

Of course, my bride, Alice, is my best friend! We just celebrated our 37th year together -- but my health crises really challenged her beyond my imaginings. I am ever reminded how blessed I am -- not lucky (as the pagans would say) -- but truly blessed.

And during my recovery time (away from the doctors and nurses), my sons blessed me with their able assistance in managing my medicine, clinic visits, chemotherapy and radiology sessions, helping me succeed in my diet, administering medicines -- all the while adding humor, care, and, yes, love. Sons, too, are excellent friends. (I suspect they take after their Mom, Alice.)

 

But, there are other friends much beyond the family.

 

Friends, a powerful word. It evokes so many thought, emotions, memories. Only one last word comes to mind to end this piece: THANKS.

Some Rambling Thoughts

Following a series of health setbacks, I've come to realize a number of realities -- herein follows some thoughts, perhaps some images, perhaps.

*I've finally figured out why I enjoy viewing sports on TV or at a sporting venue -- as you view the skills of the participants, as you sometimes even imagine yourself competing, it becomes evident that you don't know what will happen next! Seems obvious, doesn't it? I enjoy watching football games (college, pros, etc.); I also enjoy watching professional baseball playoffs -- especially the World Series. I am enthralled at the competition, the strategies, even some of the individual players. Why? Because I don't know what is going to happen next:

   In baseball, will the batter strike out, hit the ball, miss the ball, or even get hit by the pitcher?

 

    In football, will the quarterback pass the ball, run with it, get tackled, or what? As a fan, you just don't know the answer to these questions, and so, I'm fascinated and anxious to find out.

 

    In sports that I participate in, there is only golf these recent years -- hip surgeries, lung surgeries along with radiation and chemotherapy -- I'm now restricted to brief golf outings under less strenuous conditions -- usually nine holes at our local VA golf course. In golf, however, the same unknowns prevail as with watching other sports -- you don't know what your skill level will be from day to day or golf round to golf round -- will you be 'on your game' or just flapping your arms or wiffing your shots like a beginner -- you just don't know. And, dear reader, that's what makes golf just as exciting as watching a good baseball team or a quality football team. The unknown, the unexpected, the unique event within the event of the contest -- again, even the thought of the next game, or the next golf outing...excitement wells with me.... Can't wait!!

Yes, golf is exciting for me. Here is my father-in-law -- not a golfer, for sure, but he claims that he would have been a 'tiger woods' in his day if only I had taken him to a golf course some years back.

 

Khalid and Stefanie

 

 

Just to give my readers a glance or two of our engaged couple, and give me an opportunity to hone my rusty skills at typing this BLOG, I offer these few images. Stefanie and Khalid  spent a few days with us here in Lakewood -- I'm not sure if they ever did see Mount Rainier, but they did visit a few sites of Khalid's early teen years. Don't they look happy? Alice and I are so proud!